Reflection: During a time of famine in Israel, Naomi and her Israelite family moved to Moab as a matter of survival. Naomi’s sons married Moabite women which was forbidden according to God’s word. After the death of Naomi’s husband and children, Naomi decided to return to Israel, to the city of Bethlehem. While she was bidding farewell to her daughters-in-law, we read that Ruth insisted on going with her to Bethlehem. Ruth said to Naomi: “Your people are my people, and your God is my God.”
Before her marriage, Ruth did not know anything about God but worshipped idols. How did she get to know God and consider him her God? Why did she decide to leave her family and people and everything and go with a poor widow to a new place? It is obvious that Ruth saw something different in Naomi, who loved Ruth, and shared with her about God’s love and faithfulness to his people throughout the past many years.
By the end of the story, we see that God honoured this poor outcast woman, healed her, provided for her, gave her grace in the eyes of Boaz, who married her. She became a (many times) great grandmother to Jesus.
Sharing the Bible Stories and God’s love with our family members will always have an everlasting influence on them.
One of the Bible Society of Egypt’s most important projects is the post-literacy project. This project helps those who have just learned how to read and write, put their reading skills into practice, and helps them not to relapse into illiteracy. Using the participatory method, learners develop their reading and writing skills, and are also encouraged to think and learn independently and develop personal responsibility and a desire for change. This program also helps them to very practically apply Biblical principles in their own lives immediately.
Prayer: Dear Lord, how can we thank you for your precious word? Thank you, because your word is powerful, living and active and can change lives. Help us to always be ready to share it with others.